“I love that they are for everyone”

A group sit together on a circle of logs in a wood.

“I love that they are for everybody” said Fran, who first came on our weekly walks and rides in July 2024. She has been coming regularly ever since!

Fran is no stranger to cycling. She set off to cycle around the world following her retirement from being a British Sign Language interpreter. On her return, a job opportunity arose in York and Fran moved to the city 20 months ago. She was unwell for a while, and found herself looking for a way to help build herself back up again. She then heard about our Take The Green Route! Programme. She felt that it combined her love of nature with her love of cycling and walking, and even better, it was free!

Fran has been on nearly all of the weekly Nature Walks and Nature Rides in our Autumn Programme. This was a 10-week nature activity programme, where people learn about and connect with nature around them in small, friendly groups. She has also been to a Nature ID Workshop and a Social, all included in the Programme.

“I think it is just fabulous. I absolutely love the Nature Rides and Walks with York Bike Belles. The team are so amazing and it doesn’t matter that we don’t go too far because there is so much to see and learn about”.

There have been many benefits that Fran can see from being part of the programme. She has built up her fitness levels and reconnected with nature and learning. She has gained lots of knowledge about nature around her, which she enjoys sharing with others. Perhaps most importantly to Fran, the group activities have connected her with other people with similar interests. She now meets up with new friends outside the programme.

Fran also now finds herself pausing when she is out and about, giving herself a moment of being in touch with the world around her. And she encourages others to do the same!

When asked whether she will continue to come on the programme, she answers a resounding “Oh my goodness, yes!”

A group of people with bikes sit together on a bridge; three people stand in a wood and gaze upwards.